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LAHORE: Stating that the decision of the Islam­abad High Court (IHC) to suspend the accountability court’s verdict in the Avenfield reference was on a “procedural basis”, Infor­mation Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the government fully respected the country’s courts.

In a statement issued by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s media department on Wednesday, Mr Chaudhry said that the country’s courts were functioning independently and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was also an independent and autonomous institution and the government had no role to play in its activities.

Mr Chaudhry, who is also the information secretary of the ruling PTI, said the government respected the IHC’s order like all its previous judgements. He said the government as well as the people of Pakistan wanted action against all those involved in corruption.

Bilawal terms the verdict ‘relief’ to Sharifs

“The people of Pakistan want that their looted wealth brought back to the country and the government is working to achieve this objective,” he asserted.

Stating that the nation was now aware about the character of the Sharif family, he alleged that the Sharifs were yet to provide evidence of its ownership of billions of rupees. He said the law would take its course and the case would further unfold.

In a statement issued from Bilawal House Karachi, the PPP chairman said that after the death of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, the Sharif family was going through “testing times”.

“The PPP and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto fought for the independence of judiciary and were an integral part of this important movement. The PPP has also suffered at the hands of judicial verdicts but not once have we disrespected the courts,” he added.

The PPP chairman said he could not comment on the legal aspects of this verdict as courts were yet to decide on the appeals.

“We believe that our courts should not seem to be seen as part of any political victimisation. Rule of law and independence of judiciary are essential for any democratic system to thrive,” he concluded.

Similarly, PPP Punjab president Qamar Zaman Kaira in a separate statement said that as soon as the accountability court had announced 10-year jail term for the PML-N’s supreme leader, it was being expected that the (Islamabad) high court would bail out the ex-premier.

Mr Kaira said Nawaz Sharif had always been getting relief [from courts] and the it was repeated once again on Wednesday.

He said the grounds the IHC had made as basis in its verdict for releasing Nawaz Sharif would be known only in the detailed judgement.

Mr Kaira, however, said that so far only punishment had been suspended as the former prime minister would have to face the case and submit the money trail for the assets to which he had admitted ownership.

Comments (31) Closed

Inspite of all the efforts by the PTI we do not §reply any change. It will take a long time to bring any change.

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JA-Australia

Sep 20, 2018 08:30am

Can the PPP ever issue any statement on any subject, involving anyone, without their own victimhood vavela?

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Muneer

Sep 20, 2018 08:54am

PTI Government needs to clearly state that the ‘ Suspension of Sentence ‘ of Nawaz Sharif and family is not part of any ‘ Deal ‘. Many people think so.

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A Patriotic National

Sep 20, 2018 09:02am

Salam Sir: Government in power should refrain from commenting on such political issues. Or else it may be perceived as if they are also a party to the whole issue! It must be "seen" that the government is independent of all of this, and the law takes its own course!

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Raza

Sep 20, 2018 09:11am

The process was to help Khan to become PM by keeping out the Sharifs. Now that it is done they will play around the rest .

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Sid

Sep 20, 2018 09:23am

A mature and measured statement from the government however it was a flawed judgement which inshallah the SCP will fix - provide the money trail NS or go back to jail

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Ahmed

Sep 20, 2018 09:29am

This will pale into comparison when the events unfold soon of the magnitude of looting and incompetence in government.

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auginpk

Sep 20, 2018 09:36am

@A Patriotic National

Off course PTI is party to it all.

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MSAlvi (USA)

Sep 20, 2018 09:46am

@Raza What are you trying to say, Raza?

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Sep 20, 2018 09:57am

In my view, NAB's prosecuting team failed miserably and didn't present the hard evidence that were available and, as a result, they weakened their case. The question are: was this done due to pressure from top or the prosecuting team was influenced through different means? This suspension decision of convicted NS shows that big fish are above any law, and money and dirty tactics play a major part in such decisions. A very sad and damaging day for NAB's integrity!

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AW

Sep 20, 2018 10:16am

The information minister’s statement is naive. No looted public money can be brought back until the judicial and accountability system has been reformed ground up.

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Rajput

Sep 20, 2018 10:22am

Well elections are over, Wasim Akram is PM and Nawaz is out safely. I wonder if Pakistan public is so gullible to understand what's happening?

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Amir - Dallas/Fortworth

Sep 20, 2018 10:46am

Does he know what he is talking about?

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JACKJONES

Sep 20, 2018 10:50am

@Arif Godil Changes do not happen overnight. As I have said earlier people of pakistan need to change to. They have to respect the law and order in the country. People need to be held accountable for their actions.

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JACKJONES

Sep 20, 2018 10:52am

@JA-Australia Agree 100%. His father is the biggest crook.

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Zak

Sep 20, 2018 10:52am

@A Patriotic National every party is commenting, so how government keep quiet. Silence makes people make up their own stories. Govt clarified their opinion.

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Dr Haroon

Sep 20, 2018 11:16am

Somehow they still have to produce that notoriously missing money trail. Where did their money come from?

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Sep 20, 2018 11:25am

Yes, Honourable Information Minister. Your government keeps on increasing the burden on already extremely hardened commoners. While Corruption Mafias gets their NRO's. Long live democracy in our country.

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PHILOSOPHER (FROM JAPAN)

Sep 20, 2018 11:36am

It comment it earlier on IK's surprise visit to KSA and UAE with the subject AID or DEAL? only time will tell the true story. Now, time has shown N.S. is out within a day while IK was out of the country. Was all that a coincidence? you may decide by your own intellect.

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Dr BN Anand

Sep 20, 2018 11:41am

The case right from the beginning was on a weaker ground. So much so, even one of the judges had said after the NAB trial was over that the prosecution could not establish the evidence of corruption against the former PM . So the punishment was on circumstantial evidence. It was believed that the case will not stand any chance in the appeal court. So it is happening so as per expectations. The law seems to be in good health. That should be a matter of hope for people of Pakistan

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Afzal

Sep 20, 2018 11:42am

@Rajput
Wasim Akram? Imran Khan has one identity only!

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ExPak

Sep 20, 2018 11:48am

Return your looted wealth NS and MNS in exchange for your release.

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Zeeshan Hasan

Sep 20, 2018 11:49am

@A Patriotic National thats exactly what he has said! The Law will take its own course.

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Jack

Sep 20, 2018 11:51am

@JA-Australia They will take full advantage of any opportunity. People can see through their lies.

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Sohail Khan

Sep 20, 2018 11:52am

@Raza thats the only way to deal wirh mafias.

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Jack

Sep 20, 2018 11:53am

@Raza if that is the case, then why did they want to make Imran Khan prime minister? I personally think Imran Khan and worked very hard to reach where he did.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Sep 20, 2018 01:04pm

What else can he say to remain afloat, make his presence felt, prove that he is at the helm, get counted and stay in the media limelight at this crucial juncture in time and history?